Memory is our connection to the past, the present and the future. Without my memory of the English language, I would not be able to write this article. Without your understanding and memory of this language, you would not be able to read and/or understand meaning contained in this article. Clearly, memory is a very handy thing to have, but where are our memories stored? How is it that we are able to access them whenever we like?
Areas of the brain are known to become aroused and a flurry of biochemical activity is noted within the brain when new memories are forming. This biochemical activity decreases, however, as the new memory is formed and becomes a part of the person's working "vocabulary." This would seem to indicate that the brain is somehow adapting itself to the new information, possibly storing it for future use. This would seem to further indicate that our memories are somehow stored in our brains. The only problem with this is that science has been unable to locate and decode even one simple memory within the brain. The hippocampus is known to become active when memories are forming, but science has yet to determine where these memories are stored if, indeed, they are stored within any of the brain's structures.
For those who refuse to think outside the box, the most likely explanation for this scientific failing goes something like this: "The human brain is an incredibly complex organ. Memories are most definitely stored in the brain, we just don't understand how yet." For those independent investigators for whom thinking outside the box is a legitimate and viable, if not necessary, option this scientific weakness begs two questions. The first of these questions is "Is memory really stored in the brain?" If we are willing to accept the possibility, as strange as it might seem, that memory is not stored in the brain then the second question we must ask ourselves is "If memory is not stored in the brain, then where is it stored?"
Gerald A. Epling, Ph.D |
Dr. Gerald A. Epling, Ph.D., an Experimental Psychologist, has, using the tools of neuroscience, and signal acquisition, begun an investigation of the effects of memory formation on the environment. Thus far he has found that memory-formation, decision-making activities and expressions of admiration or emotion have an effect that extends beyond the physical body of the individual. Where this research will lead is anyone's guess. For myself, as an imperfect observer and student of the spiritual sides of this thing we call Life, I know that it is not my place to tell anyone what they should think, do or how they should feel about anything. I am, however, allowed to suggest a few possibilities and encourage you to begin exploring at least a few of these possibilities on your own.
The primary purpose of this article, using some of Dr. Epling's more interesting findings as a starting point, is to provide you with several pieces of thought-provoking information which will, I hope, pique your curiosity and provide you with a few clues which will, in the end, provide you with a basic understanding of the nature of memory and consciousness. The underlying goal, however, is to encourage you to develop your own, natural abilities so that you can begin examining one of the most fascinating aspects of Creation you are ever likely to be afforded an opportunity to explore.
A partial summary of some of Dr. Epling's work can be found at http://arthurepling.com/aec.shtml. If we are to understand these findings within the context of a long-standing line of research, we are going to have to go back in time and revisit some of the experiments that have been done with plants and music.
Jagadish Chandra Bose in his lab |
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, a man of many talents from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, discovered that plants respond to music. He was of the opinion, and his research seemed to suggest, that playing certain kinds of music in the presence of plants would cause them to grow faster. In 1966 Cleve Backster, a polygraph scientist and, at the time, interrogation specialist with the CIA, hooked a polygraph machine up to a plant and discovered that a change in electrical resistance will take place when a plant is threatened or harmed. Additionally, Backster made many other discoveries. Among these was the discovery of the reaction of one egg to the boiling of another egg. Backster also reported that one egg would respond to the shaking or breaking of another.
Dorothy Retallack and Professor Broman working with the plants used in music experiments. |
In 1973, Dorothy Retallack published The Sound of Music in which she published the findings of the research she conducted at Colorado Women's College, In Denver, Colorado. Apparently she used three separate, yet equally equipped, laboratories in which she had planted three arrangements of the same species of plant. According to her notes, the plants in the laboratory where music was played daily for three hours a day grew twice as large and became twice as healthy as those in a music-free environment. On the other hand, plants in the laboratory where music was played for eight hours a day died within two weeks. In another experiment, she played rock to one group of plants and, soothing music to another. The group that heard rock turned out to be sickly and small whereas the other group grew large and healthy. What was even more surprising was that the group of plants listening to the soothing music grew bending towards the radio just as they bend towards the sunlight.
Cleve Backster |
As tempting as these results might be, where the proclamation that plants seem to respond to certain types of music more favorably than others, Mr. Backster was not convinced and suggested that the plants were actually responding to the emotional reactions that Ms. Retallack and her associates were having to the music as opposed to responding to the music itself. As a matter of fact, a less rigorous study conducted by the people associated with the Discovery Channel's program MythBusters seems to support Mr. Backster's assertion. Contrary to Ms. Retallack's findings, the mythbusters found that their plants responded more favorably to rock music, which they like, and less favorably to the more sedate forms of music, which they don't particularly care for.
In April of 2004 Dr. Epling replicated Cleve Backster's plant threatening experiment. Rather than just performing a straight replication, however, he tried to threaten a plant in his vegetable garden. If successful, this would extend Backster's original finding of a plant responding to a threat beyond houseplants in into the garden. His replication was very successful.
In November of that year he replicated Backster's egg boiling experiment. This was done with an electronic amplifier that he designed and built specifically for studies in phenomenal biocommunication. Later, he combined the amplifier with a computer interface and called the unit the BioPulse™ System.
The inspiration for the creation of the BioPulse™ System was a 2003 summary of Cleve Backster's research in which he lamented that the primary reason the study of Phenomenal Biocommunication had not moved forward was the lack of instrumentation specifically designed for said research. Dr. Epling took this statement to heart and, through research, study, trial and error, developed the BioPulse™ System. The only real drawback to the BioPulse™ System, so far as the general public is concerned, is the price tag. One thousand dollars is a bit steep for the average college student or someone who is simply interested in getting a rise out of their plants or casually exploring the field of phenomenal biocommunication. To solve this problem Dr. Epling developed an inexpensive, simple to construct and easy-to-use plant activity detector. This is the current FireFly™. People can purchase the plans for a FireFly™ at the BioExperience, LLC website at http://bioexperience.com/catalog/catalog.html) and build the unit for themselves.
Since then, among other things, Dr. Epling has been spreading the word about Phenomenal Biocommunication. In November of 2006, he took his findings of the dracaena responding to water and an egg responding to the selection of another egg for boiling to the prestigious Psychonomic Society. This presentation is available at http://www.mindjava.com.
In summary, these findings strongly suggest, as Dr. Epling has concluded, that memory-formation and decision-making activities have an effect that extends beyond the physical body of the individual. With these findings in hand we are faced with an even more perplexing problem. If our memory-formation, decision-making activities and emotions have an effect that extends beyond the physical body of the individual, as demonstrated by Dr. Epling's research, how is this possible and what are the mechanisms - the forces and energies, if you will - that make it possible? The remainder of this article has been designed in such a way as to highlight a number of possible examples of what we are dealing with as well as to suggest the development of two possible fields of inquiry that just about anyone, from the preschooler with no formal educational training to the wizened old man with several advanced degrees, can participate in.
What Dr. Epling's findings suggest is that there exists a form of nonverbal communication that, at the very least, takes place between humans and living plants. Further, referencing his findings in regards to music, it is suggested that the emotional component plays a crucial role in the transmission process. Using Jesus Christ's legendary encounter with the fig tree, wherein he cursed the tree to such an extent that it shriveled up and died, I am even going to go so far as to suggest that the strength and nature of the emotional signal are the defining elements that will determine the outcome of your endeavors in this field.
Before we jump to any major conclusions about this scientifically suggested communications system, however, we need to ask ourselves a potentially ego-threatening question. Is this communications system a one-way street, from humans to plants and any number of other elements within our environments, or is it a two-way street that exists between all living creatures and, indeed, all of the various and sundry aspects within the overall body of Creation? If we are willing to accept the possibility that this communications system is a two-way street, as the next few paragraphs will suggest, then we are left with little choice but to reexamine our conclusions concerning the nature of life and our position in the overall scheme of things. Are we all that or are we just another drop in the bucket?
An Expanded View
It has been said that a psychic is someone who is sensitive to any number of subtle energy fields and is able to gather impressions from them. What almost any psychic will tell you is that the impressions they receive are heavily dependent upon their experiences in life. By way of translation, I am going to ask you to think about what the word "apple" means to you. I am going to ask you to sit back, close your eyes for a moment and recall all of the sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells the mere mentioning of this word conjure up within your mind. Take your time and let each of these sensations fill your mind in turn. These sensations are based upon your experiences and, when taken as a whole, represent what an apple means to you. If you were a psychic, one or more of these sensations/impressions would most likely be used, by whatever intelligence(s) are in charge of this form of communication, to communicate the concept of an apple to your mind because the "psychic" language is a language of impressions. If a message contains information with which the psychic is unfamiliar they will receive an impression or collection of impressions with which they are familiar. They may not be as accurate as we would like but they are, at the very least, impressions that are familiar to the psychic.
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It would seem, from this extremely brief introduction to the world of psychic phenomena that psychics are able to tap into another "hidden" language, a language of impressions. Is the hidden language of psychics linked to the language of phenomenal biocommunication and are these two languages similar? I honestly don't know; but something tells me that they are and that the only thing that really separates us from the plants and animals and eggs of this world, so far as this unknown language is concerned, is the sophistication of our equipment. While plants and eggs are sensitive to emotions and intent we, with training, can become sensitive to the subtleties of impressions. From personal experience, I can tell you that these impressions can include references to all five of the physical senses as well as emotion and intent. There are others, of course, but how do you describe something for which there is no word?
Psychometry is the ability, through (psychic) means, to gain information about an object - its properties, composition, history, etc. - by simply holding it in your hands and letting the information flow. No one really knows how it works but there are two theories that have been put forth. Joseph R. Buchanan theorized that all objects have souls and that these "souls" are able to retain memories. Gustav Pagenstecher theorized that a person trained in the art of psychometry could tune in to the experiential "vibrations" contained within an object. Pagenstecher's theory is currently getting the most attention from researchers as several psychics claim that the information is conveyed to them through a series of experiential vibrations that have been engrained within an object's structures.
What this suggests is that memories are not a strictly human construct. Further, the practice of Psychometry strongly suggests that while the brain may become active while memories are forming and certain memories can be forcibly recalled by stimulating certain structures within the brain, memories are not stored in the brain. Additionally, it suggests the Phenomenal Biocommunication may be a two-way street but that most of us are unable to tap into the vibrational frequencies involved. And finally, the practice of Psychometry suggests that, when it comes to Phenomenal Biocommunication we are just another drop in the bucket and that if we wish to truly peacefully coexist with our surroundings we should, at the very least, strive to become more (psychically/intuitively) aware of our surroundings.
Edgar Cayce |
Edgar Casey was known as the "sleeping prophet" because, apparently, he was able to go into a trance-like state and diagnose people's illnesses and recommend successful treatment regimens, even if the person was several hundred miles away. He was also able to answer any number of questions on a wide range of topics. The question is, how was he able to do it?
Using Phenomenal Biocommunication as my model I am going to suggest that, when diagnosing a person's illness, Mr. Casey was somehow able to tap into the person's "aura" - in this case a person's aura is being defined as all of the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) forces and energies (at all frequencies) that radiate out from their physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual center. Somehow Mr. Casey was able to tap into those forces and energies associated with the person's health and accurately interpret these signals so as to provide them with an accurate diagnosis as well as a course of treatment that, similar to the principle of Chi, was more or less customized to the person's situation.
As to his other abilities - the answering of historical questions and the like - this brings us to a brief discussion of the Akashic Records. The Akashic Records are permanent database of all of events that have happened, are happening, and will happen to everyone everywhere in the universe. In addition, according to some, the Akashic Records contain all knowledge. Supposedly, everyone has access to these records and can, with meditation and practice, view them whenever they want. If this is so, then it seems only reasonable, to me at least, that we should strive to gain access to the Akashic Records if for no other reason than the fact that if we had access to this information it would make our lives a whole heck of a lot easier, if not infinitely more interesting.
Recommended Skills
Meditation is a curious creature that is most commonly associated with eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Confucianism, as well as more than just a few New Age movements. At its most basic, it involves concentrating and
focusing all of your energies on one thing and one thing only. Its proponents will claim that it helps with everything from stress reduction to attaining true enlightenment. I don't know if this is true or not because I've never really been able to meditate. But that's okay because these exercises are not about meditation. These exercises are about relaxing, clearing your mind and opening yourself up to the possibilities.
From personal experience I will say that this kind of relaxation begins with controlled breathing. It isn't really all that hard; all you have to do is sit back or lie down, close your eyes, allow yourself to relax - don't force it, just let it happen - and begin breathing. Breathe in for the count of four, hold it for a second and then let it out for a count of four. Now pause for a second and repeat the process. Don't force anything. The rhythm should be [in - two - three - four (brief pause) out - two - three - four (brief pause) …].
Keep this going for several minutes, focusing on your breathing. Then, when you feel comfortable with it, bump the count up to six and, later, eight. Don't pay attention to anything but the rhythm of your breathing.
At some point you might begin to feel a little light-headed, almost heady. Don't worry about it; all it means it that your blood is being oxygenated and that your brain is getting more oxygen. What this means, even though you are not thinking about anything but your breathing, your brain is actually working more efficiently.
The next phase may take a few days or weeks for you to experience but it will eventually happen. At some point you will begin to feel a slight tingling in your feet and it will gradually spread up your legs. You may also feel it in your hands and arms. Do not be afraid. What you are experiencing is a form of living energy circulating throughout your body. I am not going to make any extravagant or extraordinary claims concerning this energy and what you can do with it; I will, however say that it is yours to do with as you please.
Some people claim that this is a form of healing energy and, indeed, an entire energy-healing industry or two has been built up around it. On a slightly more personal note I can say that I have experienced a number of "healings" (or at least episodes of pain relief) while running this energy and consciously directing it towards an injured joint or two. I don't know if it is going to heal my current injury completely or not, but then again I have only directed the energy towards my shoulder for a couple of hours and it is most definitely feeling better.
What intrigues me about this energy is that after several weeks of "running" it on a regular basis (with practice you should be able to feel it coursing throughout your entire body and keep it going throughout the day, even while at work) I've noticed that I am more open and receptive to the emotional and spiritual needs of those I come into contact with. My thought is that with time and practice, anyone, from a preschooler to an old man nearing the century mark, should be able to become sensitive to the world around them in ways will allow them to communicate with the plants and animals in their environments and, later on, gain full, free and unfettered access to the Akashic Records. I know that sounds pretty fantastical but I look at it this way: Nothing is impossible. Just because we haven't done something before doesn't mean it is impossible; all it means in that we haven't tried the right combination of elements yet.
If you should decide to give this energy a go, then there is one more principle you might want to consider. False hope is the uncertain expectation that your actions will have the desired impact upon your surroundings. Faith, however, is the sure and certain knowledge that your actions will have the desired impact upon your environment. Be humble in your explorations, but go forward with faith.
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The other skill I recommend everyone strive to develop is lucid dreaming.
At its most basic, lucid dreaming takes place when, while dreaming, you become conscious and aware of the fact that you are dreaming. At its most dramatic, however, lucid dreaming involves taking control of your dreams and bending them to your will. For example, if you have a presentation to give and you are nervous about it you could use lucid dreaming to practice every aspect of the presentation before any number of people and under all kinds of circumstances. These dress rehearsals could go a long ways towards calming your nerves and helping you prepare for any eventuality.
The three lucid dreaming possibilities I find most fascinating involve accelerated learning, taking month-long vacations every night and remote viewing. In the accelerated learning scenario lucid dreaming could be used to learn another language, study historical events (by accessing the Akashic Records), gaining a more in-depth understanding of the subjects you are studying in school or learning about and developing free energy devices. In the vacation scenario you could quite literally take a month-long vacation to anywhere in the universe on a nightly basis (through astral projection/travel) and wake up completely refreshed each morning. In the remote viewing dream you could quite literally remote view anything and/or any event in the history of Creation.
One of the most beneficial aspects of lucid dreaming is that, while you are asleep, your brain is functioning at a lower frequency. What this means is that your mind is not cluttered with a lot of extraneous information from the outside world. I will not quote the studies because I don't have access to them but I do know that research has shown that learning and memory retention are easier when your brain is not burdened with all kinds of excess baggage. Perhaps this is why lucid dreams are so vivid and their recall is so accurate.
Now, I will not tell you how to go about learning to control your dreams because each of us is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. I will, however, recommend that you begin by keeping a dream diary. This tells your subconscious mind that you appreciate everything it has been doing for you over the years and that you would like to work more closely with it so that you can begin to live up to your full and true creative potential.
The thing about lucid dreaming is that anyone can learn to do it. For some it comes naturally. For others, like myself, we have to work at it.
